Recap: Inquest told Richard Davies threatened to kill his children before being shot dead by police

An inquest is being held today (July 5) into the death of a St Neots man who was killed by police on October 21, 2015.

Richard Davies, a 41-year-old engineer, died from a single gunshot and the incident marked the first time police had shot a person dead in Cambridgeshire.

The previous inquest opening heard that shots had been fired at Mr Davies' home before armed police fired a single shot.

The force subsequently referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which has investigated the incident but has not yet released its findings.

No-one else was injured.

After the shooting the IPCC revealed that a firearm and two knives had been found at the property.

The inquest is taking place at Peterborough Town Hall and is expected to last two and a half weeks. It is being heard by assistant coroner Nicholas Moss.

For legal reasons, all six of the firearms officers involved in the incident and three children have been granted anonymity.

15:38

Proceedings ending for the day

The inquest has now been adjourned until 10am tomorrow.

Mr Moss has thanked members of the jury and dismissed them.

15:37

Paramedic called as final witness for the day

Senior paramedic Daniel Reed will be the last witness giving evidence today.

He said: “I have received training that allows me to recognise death. On the 23rd October … I saw the body of a dead male...with a bleeding upper wound to the left chest.

“I gave standard cardiac treatment… CPR at 20.43pm… I recognised that death had occurred.”

A doctor also attended and reported traumatic cardiac arrest and life extinguished at 20.43pm.

15:37

Mr Davies denied suicide risk

Ms Mason was asked by the coroner if she would have intervened if she thought there was an immediate suicide risk.

She said: “I would have referred him to the crisis team… he denied any immediate risk to himself, he said he was safe and in his capacity was able to make an informed decision about treatment.”

That is the end of her evidence.

15:36

Nurse says she did not know Mr Davies had a gun

Another legal representative of the Davies family is clarifying what Ms Mason knew about Mr Davies.

She said she didn’t know he had a firearm at home.

He told her he denied having suicidal thoughts. But she thought if he was asked to leave the family home he would be at risk of suicide.

15:35

Mr Davies was receiving counselling in 1999

The legal representative of the Davies family is questioning Ms Mason.

Ms Mason asked to look at a letter from the Hinchingbrooke healthcare trust to Mr Davies’ GP dated June 3 1999. It details a plan for him to receive some counselling. It discloses he was seen by a psychiatrist in the past after he was sexually abused age 12.

Ms Mason was asked why they put “no” to the question of whether or not Mr Davies was likely to be violent.

She said she agreed he was likely to be violent, but only in the context of his work, not generally.

15:11

Mr Davies' sick pay was due to run out

Ms Mason said she was contacted by Mr Davies’ employer and had consent from him to speak to them.

They were keen to help but unable to have a change of workstations and the member of staff was concerned by how Mr Davies perceived him.

Ms Mason said:“I was told that his sick pay was due to run out but Mr Davies was not aware of this.”

15:02

Mr Davies said he had been a victim of sexual abuse as a child

Ms Mason said Mr Davies denied thoughts of suicide and self harm because of his children.

She said he was concerned if he was asked to leave the family home he would be at risk of suicide.

She said: “He was insistent that his family were why he would not act on any thoughts.

“I was concerned he would be asked to leave the home [because of his infidelity].”

Mr Moss asked if it was correct that Mr Mason had been a victim of sexual abuse as a child.

Ms Mason said: “I said [because of his childhood trauma] he may be suffering from a personality disorder.”

He told her he had already increased his medication and was going to run out. She recommended to his GP that his prescription be increased.

14:56

Mr Davies described himself a "borderline alcoholic", nurse says

Ms Mason has been asked what Mr Davies told her about his mood changes and sleeping patterns.

She said he went to bed at 11pm and had no problems getting to sleep but would often wake and had suffered from sleep apnea which he had had an operation to fix.

She added that Mr Davies admitted he had problems with personal hygiene and appearance once he had lost his daytime routine. And he had stopped eating during the day but would eat excessively in the evenings.

He said his mood had deteriorated of the last couple of years and had been drinking alcohol every day and was a borderline alcoholic.

14:56

Evidence from mental health nurse continues

Mr Moss asked about Ms Mason’s normal way of working.

She said: “I saw him at the GP surgery. All my sessions were at GP surgeries.”

She was asked to described Mr Davies’ mood on October 13: “I said he looked quite angry… but he quickly became more cooperative.”

She told the inquest she discussed his medication and if it helped.

“Mr Davies denied any side affects and said he didn’t feel as bad as he did and it wasn’t all of the time.”

About his domestic situation, he described some relationship issues at home following his infidelity.

In relation to the work colleague about whom he had had violent thoughts, Mr Davies told Ms Mason he had difficulties tolerating ‘messing around in the workshop’ and the fact that colleague was given overtime and not him.

14:42

Mental health nurse gives evidence

Registered mental health nurse Deborah Mason was a mental health liaison officer in October and September 2015.

She had dealings with Mr Davies and has provided a statement which she is going to talk through.

She assessed Mr Davies on October 13 2015.

“He was sent to me with a low mood, financial problems and problems at home,” she said.

14:39

Evidence from Mr Davies' GP surgery

A statement from Dr Taylor, a GP at Mr Davies’ surgery has been read out.

It said Mr Davies had been registered from 2000 and had a history of depression and a severe depressive episode in 2004.

Mr Davies attended the surgery on 24th September 2015 and presented with low mood and had violent moods about colleague at work. He told the doctor he was imprisoned before and worried of a repeat.

He requested psychiatric help and the doctor signed him off work and put him on antidepressants and referred him to the mental health team.

On 13th of October he had a mental health assessment in which it was recommended his antidepressant be increased in dose. This was the surgery’s last dealings with him.

14:32

Mr Davies' mother's evidence read out

Mr Moss has read out a statement from Mr Davies’ mother, whose evidence is not in dispute.

It said that Mr Davies was a bright child and loved the outdoors and anything mechanical.

He joined the air training corps aged 14 but couldn’t progress to the armed forces.

He was charged with GBH after breaking a man’s jaw over an argument about a car, and served a short time in prison.

He always had a fascination with guns and the military and would play shooting games.

“I was aware Rich had a homemade gun because one of my other sons had told me he made it in work,” she said.

She recalled around 12 years ago Richard and his wife Samantha had rough patch. She said he came round to the house and said he had come to say goodbye to the children.

After Samantha received concerning texts, it was discovered he had attempted to kill himself. He was taken to hospital and put on suicide watch.

Mr Davies’ mother said she found out on Facebook there had been an incident in Duck Lane, but was not aware until the following day that her son had died.

14:21

Jury returns

The jury has returned and one of the is being excused as a result of the legal discussions.

Mr Moss said: “You should be excluded from your jury service… you are entitled for your expenses for today.”

14:10

Legal discussions taking place

The jury has not yet returned to the courtroom as legal discussions are taking place.

12:55

Evidence will begin this afternoon

Mr Moss has adjourned the inquest until 2pm.

Evidence will begin when the hearing resumes.

12:55

The main issues that will be considered in the inquest

Mr Moss has outlined the main issues of the case.

Firstly, Mr Davies’ background and personality and sources of stress, and his alcohol use.

Secondly, the police background: their training and the tactics they used.

Thirdly, the events prior to the arrival of the police. This includes Mr Davies’ interaction with his wife and his friend Mr Williams who had visited earlier in the day, as well as how Mr Davies acted toward his children.

Finally, the events on and following the arrival of the police. This covers the decision-making by the officers when they arrived. Was there adequate information about the location of the children, as well as the nature of the communication with Mr Davies? And was the use of force appropriate in the circumstances, as well as the ammunition used?

12:53

More spent cartridges found near child's bedroom and living room window

Mr Moss is going through photographic evidence relating to weaponry.

Outside the house more spent cartridges were found near the child’s bedroom where the gun was found and three near the downstairs living room window.

The fragments of bullet found in Mr Davies were consistent with those found in I7’s gun.

Mr Moss said: “There is national guidance on police ammunition that does not mandate what ammunition is used by different police forces but... A circular indicted that one particular type of bullet was suitable for police use and a second type of ammunition used by the Metropolitan Police was also considered useful… they were what was called bonded ammunition.”

Mr Moss said there was guidance on what ammunition could be used by police and he will look closely at the ammunition used to shoot Mr Davies and whether it was correct.

12:41

Homemade gun found in child's room

Mr Moss said police were aware that the children had been tied up and this was relevant to them ordering an armed response.

The jury will hear evidence about a homemade gun recovered from the bedroom of one of the children.

Mr Moss continued: “There will be ballistics evidence… it will say this weapon was capable of having a lethal effect but its accuracy was limited….

“Its inner barrel had to be removed each time to load the barrel.”

He said the gun was not able to fire in rapid succession because the gun had to be reloaded.

12:41

Police found Mr Davies bleeding in the house

Mr Moss is beginning the fifth part of his summary.

He said police used force to get into the house, and firearms officers found Mr Davies collapsed on the upstairs hallway and he had bled profusely.

They made steps to revive him.

The jury will hear evidence from a Dr Swift about the medical cause of death.

He will say Mr Davies suffered a gunshot wound to the neck.

They will hear Mr Davies’ left lung was damaged and the bullet fragmented so there was no exit wound.

Dr Swift will also give his toxicology findings.

12:32

Evidence of police's spent cartridge

Mr Moss has asked the jury to to look back at the evidence bundle which shows a picture of a wall, a Toyota and a wall.

He said: “It shows what appears to be a spent cartridge…. And you will hear evidence this was the cartridge ejected by I7 when he shot out of the car.”

He reminded the jury this is just a summary and they will hear more evidence over the coming days.

12:31

Police entered the property

Officers went to the back of the house as part of the containment. Mr Davies appeared at the bedroom window and fired a shot from a handgun, but with a longer barrel…

The sound was recorded about 2 mins and 15 sec after the third bang.

Mr Davies was shouting: “F***ing shoot me you c***s.”

The officer is heard to say: “We don’t want to do that Richard.”

Mr Moss continued: “I7 said he moved to take cover behind a parked car and saw Mr Davies reappear at the window and he was concerned Mr Davies was going to fire again…

“And he said he did then fire and I7 fired at near the same time.”

The officer also had other equipment with him.

Mr Moss said: “You will hear how firearms officers are trained to use less lethal weapons and the uses that less lethal weapons are designed to achieve… and the matters which the range at which they are effective.

“The evidence will need to explore what Mr Davies was doing at this time and what I7 was doing… and the reasons I7 did what he did and was it legal?”

12:22

The evidence police considered before ordering the shot

Coroner Mr Moss is outlining what Inspector Furlong considered before ordering a critical shot and telling the jury to look at photographic evidence of the layout of the inside of the home on Duck Lane.

It shows the aftermath of the shooting with the forensics tent in the garden.

Among the evidence they will hear will be that his wife told police she didn’t think he owned a gun.

12:22

Jury will have to make decision on police conduct

Mr Moss continued: “Inspector Furlong said there was a potential for a provoked shooting regarding Mr Davies’ conduct.”

He said the jury will have to decide whether or not this conduct was correct.

He continued: “There is unlikely to be any dispute Mr Davies was provoking the police but was the response of the police appropriate in these circumstances?

“From the communications police were not sure what type of firearm Mr Davies was firing.

“N6 said he found it difficult to estimate. He thought it was a large caliber air rifle or a 410 shotgun.

“At this stage Inspector Furlong said their tactic remained ‘contain and control’.”

12:13

Mr Davies shot at police

“N6 is likely to say that having seen Mr Davies in that downstairs living room window he then saw a flash from an object in Mr Davies’ hand and he heard muffled bang.

“The father of the neighbour… he may say in evidence he saw the side of a barrel of a gun emerge from the living room window he then heard a loud bang and sparks emerge.

“N6, who saw this, reported it on the radio saying: ‘Urgent message male has discharged some sort of weapon … some sort of weapon has just been discharged.’

“Commander Furlong said to contain the incident. Officers took cover. About 30 seconds after the first bang a second was heard from the ground floor window.

“In a 999 call Mr Davies was heard to say: ‘F***ing shoot me then you c***s’.

“And this shot was heard in the 999 call in the background.”

12:10

Series of events unfolded in four to five minutes

Coroner Nicholas Moss has started part four of his summary.

He said: “Members of the jury, one of the things you should bear in mind is the speed at which events unfolded.

“The events took place within a time frame of about four to five minutes.

“Although the divisional officers in the van arrived first they did not approach the immediately area outside of Mr Davies’ house.”

Mr Moss said an Audi and two other arms vehicles then arrived.

He continued: “It was mid October and gone 8pm so already dark.

“F6 will say Mr Davies was seen hanging outside the front living room window.”

Mr Moss has asked the jury to look at photo evidence. He asked them to identify the front door and the front window which has been smashed in and covered in tarp.

11:57

Short break called

The brief outline of the case has been concluded.

Mr Moss has called a break until 11.55am.

11:57

Details of the firearms police sent to the scene

The coroner describes the three vehicles and firearms officers who attended the scene. One came from Huntingdon.

“Two officers were not armed and not trained in use of taser… they were asked to hold off from immediate scene and await instructions.

“There was also a police dog handler who responded.

“You may hear that Inspector Furlong gave permission for the officers to attend fully armed.

“He made written notes as the event unfolded.

“He said Mr Davies was EMD - emotionally or mentally disturbed.

“Inspector Furlong will give evidence about the risk assessment he did.

“He said the risk to children was high and family was high. That the risk to public was low.

“He made an initial decision of ‘contain and call’. To contain the situation and communicate with Mr Davies.”

11:53

Police arrived at the house

“Richard Davies was then left alone in the house…

“Marginally before 8.30pm Mr Davies heard the sound of sirens approach the house.

“You will hear that the 999 calls led the police to treat this incident as an emergency. Because the incident was reported as involving a knife firearms officers were sent”

Inspector Furlong the TFC was the more senior commander controlling things from the control room. He does not have anonymity.

11:46

Mr Davies' wife arrived at the house

Samantha arrived at the the house when one child was on the phone to a police handler, a Mr Holland, who tried to persuade Samantha not to interact with her husband.

“Mr Davies came to the door twice.

“He came the first time only briefly, then the second time he spoke to them and had a knife in his hand.

“There was some screaming that could be heard from inside the house.

“Samantha is recorded as saying on the 999 call that they all loved him and wanted to help him and should let the children out of the house.”

11:43

Children managed to escape the house

Th jury has been shown a map of the layout of the family home in Duck Lane.

Mr Moss continued: “You will hear evidence all of the child managed to get out of the house.